I think I'm getting fired tomorrow.

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
10/10/2016 at 19:45 • Filed to: None

It’s for the best. If he doesn’t fire me, I’m putting in my two weeks.

This afternoon, I went to a house to install their cable and I just had a horrible anxiety attack. I got so weak and shaky that I dropped my ladder against the van a few times before just laying it on the ground. Them I spent 15 minutes in the van trying to calm down, but it wasn’t working. I just have a lot of issues that I didn’t realize would get in the way like this, but apparently they did.

I ended up asking the customer to reschedule and I drove myself home an hour early. My supervisor called me after I got there and he was really mad at me. He said he wanted to see me in the morning and then just hung up.

I wish that mental disorders were treated the same as other ones. I am professionally diagnosed with anxiety and having an attack like that is really not much different than, say, a diabetic seizure. The only difference is it’s not considered a “real” disability and I have to take full responsibility for it screwing up my work.

But regardless of anything, it was definitely triggered by the stress of this job. I was hoping to stay with it until I found something new, but it’s just not healthy for me.

Wish me luck tomorrow.

DISCUSSION (25)

S65 > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 19:49

I’m sorry you have to put up with that

John > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 19:51

I hope everything works out for you.

jimz > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 19:55

anxiety fucking sucks. back in 2010 I went through a severe bout of it for 8 months. Including one at work so bad a co-worker had to take me to the hospital.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 19:55

Are you on meds? Sounds like you have seen someone since you are professionally diagnosed. I’m no HR specialist but from what I recall, they shouldn’t be able to just fire you if you have this documented and diagnosed.

Captain of the Enterprise > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:01

I wish it was different too, I hope things work out, I’m sorry your struggling right now it sounds like yoI had a rough day and I hope your feeling better

CaptDale - is secretly British > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:01

I am sorry that is really rough to deal with. I hope you are able to find something you like doing.

That’s a tough conundrum. Most places if you are fired, you can collect unemployment, but then when you apply for other jobs, quitting may look better. I really hope it all works out for you. I don’t mean to stress you out with that, But I have been thinking about quitting my job too... So yeah.

E90M3 > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/10/2016 at 20:03

I thought you couldn’t get unemployment if you got fired; thought you had to be like laid off or something.

E90M3 > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:04

Best of luck.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:05

Sorry to here that. Hopefully you find something better.

mazda616 > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:06

Dude.

I am so sorry. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it’s been a while since I had an attack, but I remember it vividly. Mental illness in America still has a stigma attached to it, even after all these years. It’s a shame, really. Mental illness is just that. An illness. Just like diabetes or anything else. But it is treated as though sufferers of it are making it up! It frustrates me to no end.

comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:10

OK, I’m far from an expert, neither having a disorder, nor being a lawyer, but I’ve been a manager involved in a few ADA issues, and I thought they were treated the same. I mean, I’d advise you to consult an expert, but reading this site:

https://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/psych.html

I’m seeing: “Under the ADA, the term “disability” means: “(a) A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of [an] individual; (b) a record of such an impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment.”

and

“The ADA rule defines “mental impairment” to include “[a]ny mental or psychological disorder, such as . . . emotional or mental illness.” Examples of “emotional or mental illness[es]” include major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders (which include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder), schizophrenia, and personality disorders.”

And other stuff (not going to quote any more than I already did), it seems like anxiety would be treated the same way as a seizure. Do a little more looking, the laws are for your protection.

CaptDale - is secretly British > E90M3
10/10/2016 at 20:10

Hmm, not 100% sure... There are a lot of rules to that.

E90M3 > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/10/2016 at 20:11

Right, I got it cause I got laid off.

CaptDale - is secretly British > E90M3
10/10/2016 at 20:13

Ok, good to know

Quick google lookup “File for unemployment. People often think that only laid-off employees are eligible for these benefits. However, in most states, fired employees can collect too, as long as they weren’t fired for intentional misconduct. It can take a while for benefits to kick in, so file right away.”

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:13

I’m so sorry you had to go through that.

I was really surprised when I was applying for my new job (server at a retirement home...long story) and on the application under the list of disabilities, depression and anxiety were both listed. I had to check yes, I have a disability, and had a whole bunch of new questions asked to me when I was being interviewed.

Mental health is really not done properly here. It’s near impossible to get affordable help, and you get singled out for it because not everyone understands it is as real as other health problems.

Good luck with everything.

E90M3 > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/10/2016 at 20:14

It varies from state to state and I’m not sure of all of the rules. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you’re in a position to need it or something.

CaptDale - is secretly British > E90M3
10/10/2016 at 20:16

Right exactly, just figured I would suggest looking into it. Incase.

comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer > E90M3
10/10/2016 at 20:17

At least in my experience, maybe my state, unemployment can be contested if the employee was terminated, but a lot of times, especially with larger companies, they rarely contest it because it increases the likelihood that the terminated employee will sue for wrongful termination. Theory being, as long as they can draw unemployment, will just go quietly. If they can’t, they fight.

E92M3 > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 20:18

Good luck man. There is no way I could do that (deal with the general public everyday), much less go into their homes.

My best friend installed for Dish for about 2 years. While he has 3 or 4 amazing stories, there’s dozens of horrible ones.

JGrabowMSt > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 21:20

I feel for you. My girlfriend has very bad anxiety, and it’s not easy for either of us. I do my best, but I’m no superman, I can’t always tell what’s going on.

Is there a more low-impact job you could do with the company, one that may keep you from certain triggers? Do not immediately throw in the towel thinking the best thing you can do is leave. Put yourself in a position of importance, because you are important. It’s not an ideal situation for the boss, but it’s also not ideal for you. Do your best to find a way into a position that could work better for you. If that ultimately means leaving the job, then yes, that’s what it means (you would know better than I).

If I may ask, after all is said and done, what calms you down the best? Recognizing that, and having reminders of it around you could potentially help to alleviate a problem. It may not always work, but I don’t have to be the first to admit there’s no manual for anxiety, and it’s hard as hell to cope with from both sides.

Funktheduck > Rainbow
10/10/2016 at 21:28

Sucks dude. Wish I had some advice but I don’t have anything useful. But I do have a somewhat funny story regarding charter that I remembered today when I drove by their office earlier.

The charter building in Athens has big yellow concrete posts (like around gas station pumps) in front. It hasn’t always been that way. Why? Because a woman got so fed up with their crappy service and constant over charging that she drove her car through the front. No one was hurt.

sn4cktimes > Rainbow
10/11/2016 at 02:25

That’s a really shitty scenario. I’ve had maybe a handful of full on anxiety attacks my entire life but they’re pretty rough . And I know someone with full on anxiety. Takes a lot to roll back into “normal” mode. I imagine there must be some legal protection for what is deemed a diagnosed mental condition. The only potential “easy” loop-hole I see from your employers standpoint is that you bailed early. Not sure how the legally defined protocols handle an attack/condition vs job responsibilities. Might be worth looking into. Either way, hope you can find a less stressful work setup and that things get smoothed out.

Rainbow > Biggus Dickus (RevsBro)
10/11/2016 at 07:13

I am on meds, yeah.

I’m going to see if he gives me the opportunity to just resign immediately instead of being actually fired.

Rainbow > JGrabowMSt
10/11/2016 at 07:17

Yeah, I’m not sure there’s really a better option with the company, but I’ll try to bring it up when I’m meeting with him this morning.

Rainbow > E92M3
10/11/2016 at 07:23

I did at least get one story out of it while it lasted.

The customer offered me a can of Coke, which I accepted. I took one sip, then set it down and started working on something. Then a toddler walked into the room, took a sip of my Coke, and proceeded to spill it right on top of their brand new DVR. Then he just walked away.

Of course, yeah, I’ve had to deal with so much worse. I think I’ve had to excuse myself to cool off at least twice every day.